Football reporter

James Rodriguez has scored five goals in four games at this World Cup. Photo: Getty Images

Rio de Janeiro: If the biggest stars in the game have come out to play at this World Cup – think Lionel Messi, Neymar, Robin van Persie and even Cristiano Ronaldo at times – they’ve now been joined in the pantheon by a new name. Meet James Rodriguez.

Firstly, it’s not pronounced “James” as we know it in the English-speaking world; it’s more like “Ha-mez”.

But if that sounds pompous, nobody will be mispronouncing the 22-year-old’s name or unaware of his dazzling feet by the time Colombia face off against Brazil in their hugely-anticipated quarter-final on Friday.

That’s because Rodriguez has taken this World Cup by storm and is now being touted as both a potential player of the tournament and the Golden Boot winner.

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“I’ve had extraordinary football players in my teams before – elite players of a very high technical level. I placed everything in James’ hands because I saw an extraordinary talent,” said Colombian coach Jose Pekerman after the match. “I greatly praise what he’s doing and I never had any doubts that this was going to be his World Cup.”

With five goals in four games, including both goals in Sunday morning’s [AEST] 2-0 win over Uruguay at the world-famous Maracana, Rodriguez has established himself in the global elite.

So mesmerising was his first goal that it may well knock out Tim Cahill’s hopes of winning goal of the tournament honours.

With the match against Uruguay locked at 0-0 and with no sign La Celeste’s defence would unlock easily, Rodriguez produced his moment, fitting for the world’s most famous stadium.

The ball was being headed back and forth on the edge of Colombia’s attacking box before Rodriguez eventually decided to seize control, bringing the ball down with his chest, turning 180 degrees and then hitting a blind volley with his left foot that gave Uruguay’s helpless goalkeeper, Fernando Muslera, virtually no chance. In fact, he did well to scrape a fingernail to the ball.

Just to prove his credentials as a team player, Rodriguez then sealed his country’s passage to the quarter-finals by getting on the end of a brilliant team move, which climaxed with the youngster finishing off a clever knock-down from Juan Cuadrado.

That was on the back of three goals in three games in the group stages, eliminating any concern Colombia would lack scoring power in the absence of Radamel Falcao, missing at this tournament through injury.

“James has been essential, he's been fundamental in the team. We had good performances in all positions but he’s given a lot,” Pekerman said. “It’s very important to see that effort from a young player. One expects them to play well technically but he’s also grown a lot with the responsibility.

"What is surprising is he has no problem taking the responsibility at his age. Football forces you to deal with situations. We have a technically gifted player who has everything to be a top-notch player at world-class level, and who can interpret what I need to be done with the team.”

But for those rushing to acclaim Rodriguez as an overnight sensation, it’s not quite accurate. Four years ago, he signed a deal with Portuguese club Porto that had release clause worth €30 million – indicative of the esteem he's long been held in.

After three stunning seasons in Portugal, he was identified by Dmitry Rybolovlev, the billionaire Russian owner of AS Monaco, as the player he could build an entire team around.

A year ago, Rybolovlev dropped a cool €45 million to seal the deal, making him the 17th most expensive player of all time.

Monaco would finish the French season in second to the all-conquering Paris Saint-Germain but Rodriguez, after overcoming injury, would accumulate 10 goals and 12 assists from 38 games in all competitions.

Rodriguez's form in Brazil will undoubtedly spark more attention from the world’s biggest clubs, with Manchester United said to be lining up a bid to bring him to Old Trafford, even if his price tag is seemingly rising millions by the day.